asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what damage has been done to British property in Nigeria during the recent riots; and whether any British citizen was hurt.

There have been no reports of damage to British property in the north of Nigeria during recent riots apart from incidental damage to filling stations owned by the British Petroleum and Shell Companies and to some cars and personal property of individuals. No British subject suffered any injury.

Would the bight hon. Gentleman agree that it is a major British interest that Nigeria should remain united and that law and order should prevail there?

Yes, Sir, Her Majesty's Government, of course, attach great importance to the stability and progress of all Nigeria as a sister country of the Commonwealth and would strongly deprecate any development tending to obstruct the efforts of the Nigerian Government in maintaining cohesion in that country.